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Suggestions for a graduation gift?

  1. flw history nerd Mar 25, 2021

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    Greetings, friends and colleagues!

    Our son made his college decision yesterday (drum roll please): the aerospace college at the University of North Dakota. He plans to major in commercial aviation. Ever since he saw The Rocketeer when he was little, he's wanted to be a pilot. Now he'll have the opportunity.

    I was planning to buy him a new watch as a high school graduation present (he's worn a well used Seiko 5 for about five years now). Something in the range of about $2K or less. Given his interest in flight, I'd appreciate any suggestions for a pilot's watch (or any other style that occurs to you). Thanks in advance for your help!
     
  2. dmtowl Mar 25, 2021

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    I'd really recommend checking out Sinn's stuff, specifically the Sinn 556i, Sinn 556a, Sinn 356. Beautiful, solid watches that are simple yet so sexy
     
  3. gbesq Mar 25, 2021

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  4. Lurk41 Mar 25, 2021

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    Sinn would be the most obvious choice for an aviator watch under 2k.

    Others I can think of would be the Alpina Startimer, Oris BC3, Hamilton with their Khaki Aviation collection and the Pan Europ - not really an aviator watch, but each time I see the name I think about Pan Am :D
     
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  5. amfalconer Mar 25, 2021

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    As with a couple of similar threads on this kind of thing, why don't you ask him if he'd like a watch, he may prefer money towards something else?

    It's a lovely gesture, but unless you're sure he's a watch guy.... You wouldn't want to gift him something which he wouldn't like, or won't use.
     
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  6. NGO1 Mar 25, 2021

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    THE SPEEDY REDUCED
    Sorry for the all caps. But I don't think you can find a better watch than Reduced the $2k-ish.
    One word -- Patina
     
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  7. Spruce Sunburst dial fan Mar 25, 2021

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    Congratulations to you both
     
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  8. Rochete Mar 25, 2021

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    Sometimes people need to be shown the light. No one better than a father for that.
     
  9. Crunchie Mar 25, 2021

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    Assuming US prices are similar to UK ones, you’d have your pick of a few nice Oris watches in that price range.
     
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  10. Spruce Sunburst dial fan Mar 26, 2021

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    That's a good idea.

    This is my older one. Comfortable to wear, good size and with a nice, non-clunky profile.

    BBA37D3E-5111-4FC6-AF9B-9EDBAF17C909.jpeg
     
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  11. cakey007 Mar 26, 2021

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    How about a Doxa 300? Should get a nice choice of good second hand ones within that budget .
    Not really something that on the general populations radar unless you like watches , which is a good thing at his age.
    Look forward to having a similar sort of thing with my son one day.
     
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  12. AveConscientia Mar 26, 2021

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    I’m 19, not saying I speak for everyone my age anyhow here’s a few recommendations. First watch that came to mind would be a Stowa Fliger. Reasonably priced(around a thousand dollars), deep history, direct aviation ties, timeless, minimalist, and a dependable movement.
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    Second would be the Hamilton Aviation Pilot. A bit on the nose, but it’s well within budget and looks great!
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    Then the obvious choice... With your budget the Pro will be near impossible to find. Besides the expensive to repair movement it’s just as good to the average non watch person.
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    Personally I’ve been heavily hinting for years that after college I’d like a Speedy Pro. Best wishes in the search!
     
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  13. Woops Mar 26, 2021

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    If you wanted to go down the vintage route what about a Universal Geneve Polerouter? I find these watches timeless and elegant and they come with a terrific aviation back story and pedigree. A wide variety of designs and models are available and with patience you should be able to find something nice bang on your budget.

    These watches can be dressed up or down and would look very smart indeed as part of a graduation outfit. Here are a couple of mine - you'll note the first one is even branded 'Jet'!

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  14. Flysatchmo Mar 26, 2021

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    Great program! Congrats! I’ve been an airline pilot for 30 years and I’ve worked with a bunch of guys who graduated from UND - who all loved it. How about getting him a nice Citizen Nighthawk or Seiko equivalent until he graduates then start him out with a Speedmaster for his aviation career. That’s what I did with my son. He decided to start flying during his last year of college but decided on the Marines. He became a Naval Aviator this past September and I presented him with my beloved 20 year old Speedmaster Pro. Super special! Nothing to fret over because whatever you do it will be awesome! Congratulations again!
     
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  15. amfalconer Mar 26, 2021

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    Well I can't fault your logic!
     
  16. wolfrichter Mar 26, 2021

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    I would back this up! Too many compromises at the sub-2k level for me and even 3k would open up a way bigger range of (pilot) watches.
     
  17. flw history nerd Mar 26, 2021

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    So many great suggestions - I knew I could count on this community to help clear my mind on this. I was thinking initially about a Hamilton Khaki Aviation with the slide-rule bezel (so cool), but sending the young man a thousand miles away to live in a college dorm, and go to parties and everything else, with a $2k watch on his wrist seems a bit illogical. I like the idea of waiting for him to finish his program successfully and get his degree to give him a nicer watch. A Speedmaster is an excellent idea (perhaps mine, although I've had it for just a year), or the Hamilton, a Breitling, or a Longines. There's time to decide. In the meantime, I'm thinking about the Nighthawk or a Seiko SNA flight alarm chronograph.

    Keep 'em coming! I'm still open to ideas :)
     
  18. flw history nerd Mar 26, 2021

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    BTW, @Flysatchmo - congratulations to you and your son on his Naval Aviator achievement! I didn't serve myself, but I have a lot of Marines in my family across several generations, including my sister - and my older son is an Army officer and a VMI graduate. Please pass along my thanks for your son's service.
     
  19. MtnMarine Mar 26, 2021

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    depending on how big he would like, I always think IWC or breitling navitimer for pilots. IWC may be higher but breitlings can be found for *very close* to your price, depending on age.

    edit **
     
    Edited Mar 26, 2021
  20. STANDY schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector Mar 26, 2021

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    Seiko Flightmaster should get him through his program. Cheap as chips and get him something better at the end of his program.....


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